selected in the draft. The Devils assigned Billington to his junior club, the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League for the 1984–85 season. Billington began the 1985–86 season with New Jersey. On October 26, 1985, Billington made his NHL debut, as he made 23 saves in a 5–2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. In 18 games with the Devils during the season, Billington had a 4–9–1 record with a 5.14 GAA and a .840 save percentage. Late in the season, Billington was assigned to his junior club in Belleville in an effort to get him more playing time. Billington split the 1986–87 season between the Devils and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Maine Mariners. In 20 games with the Mariners during the 1986–87 season, Billington earned a record of 9–7–2 with a 3.65 GAA and a .873 save percentage. With the Devils, Billington played in 22 games, posting a record of 4–13–2 with a 4.79 GAA and a .844 save percentage. In 1987–88, the Devils assigned Billington to their new AHL affiliate, the Utica Devils. In 59 games with Utica, Billington had a 22–27–8 record with a 3.67 GAA and a .880 save percentage. Billington spent a majority of the 1988–89 season with Utica of the AHL. In 41 games, Billington had a record of 17–18–6 with a 3.70 GAA and a .872 save percentage with the club. In four post-season games, Billington posted a 1–3 record with a 4.91 GAA. Billington briefly appeared with New Jersey during the 1988–89 season. In three games with the Devils, Billington earned a record of 1–1–0 with a 4.71 GAA and a .830 save percentage. Billington remained with Utica for the 1989–90 season. In 38 games, Billington earned a 20–13–1 record with a 3.97 GAA and a .870 save percentage. Billington did not appear in any post-season games for Utica in the 1990 playoffs. In 1990–91, the Devils allowed Billington to play with the Canadian National Team. In 34 games with Team Canada, Billington posted a 17–14–2 record with a 3.15 GAA. Billington returned to New Jersey in 1991–92. He remained in the NHL for the entire season for the first time in his career. On December 28, 1991, Billington stopped all 26 shots he faced in a 3–0 win over the Buffalo Sabres for his first career shutout. In a back-up role, Billington earned a 13–7–1 record with a